Bob Mortimer says he was determined to overcome more ill health as he filmed his latest angling adventures with Paul Whitehouse.
A six-month bout of shingles left the comedian, 65, with wasted muscles and he was unable to walk for half the episodes of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.
Bob said the illness was worse than the heart problems which made him first try the hobby six years ago.
However, despite needing to be taken by wheelchair to several of the riverbanks to film with his pal Paul, he is thrilled with the seventh series.
Bob said of the BBC Two show, which started on Sunday: "I think it's by far the best we've done. The first two episodes are the greatest two episodes of Gone Fishing that have
ever been made. Personally, I think they're magnificent.
"I think Paul and I are just getting better and better at it, which sounds a bit boastful. We just know what the show is now and what people like. I love this series." Gone Fishing
producers chose to keep Bob's wheelchair off-camera and while he admitted it was took a big effort to get around, by the end of the series, he was on the mend.
Sunday's opener didn't show Bob on his feet once. But one fan of the show commented: "It just gets better and better." "Another said: "Sunday nights are complete again."
Bob praised Paul, 66, for helping him get through filming. He said: "I wasn't very well and it made it a bit of a struggle, but as always, Paul looked after me and pulled me through.
"For half of the season, I couldn't walk, so it was very challenging
at times. For example, when we were in Trent, I was being taken from a
wheelchair to the top of the bank to the river.
"Of course, you never see that, but you never see me on my feet either.
"I just tried to get some muscle back, or get some to grow a bit stronger. I'm about 80% back and towards the end of the series, I was reasonably sprightly."
While actor and comedian Paul is the fishing expert on Gone Fishing, Bob is in charge of the food and accommodation. Bob said his favourite riverside grub this series was hot dogs in a vacuum flask, seen in Norfolk in the first episode.
He added: "It's a lovely and nostalgic thing - two old men having hot dogs by the lake. They were absolutely delicious. It was a genius idea."
Paul admitted Bob's cooking had been "pretty good" this time around...with one notable exception, which will be seen in a future episode.
He revealed: "He really did feed me some offal. I won't say any more than that, but I won't be eating it again."
Meanwhile, the show's 12-year-old dog Ted, who joined in series three and belongs to executive producer Lisa Clark, has a treat in store for fans.
In November, Gone Fishing's bosses will release his tail-all "pawto-
biography". Ted, "interviewed" about the new series, couldn't decide which of the comics was his favourite.
He said: "Bob probably gets the edge as his bag is always full of snacks, his car is littered with leftovers. Paul only has healthy snacks but I prefer sleeping on his bed as he moves around less during the night."
